Laing O’Rourke appoints Major General Roger Noble, AO DSC CSC to Australian Defence Portfolio

Laing O’Rourke has confirmed its commitment to serving the infrastructure needs of the Department of Defence by appointing retired senior officer and former Australian Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism, Major General Roger Noble to the role of General Manager – Defence.

Major General Noble began his tenure with Laing O’Rourke on 27 February 2023.

Already a trusted partner for the construction of Australian Defence Force facilities, Laing O’Rourke has delivered major Defence infrastructure across the country.

Rebecca Hanley, Managing Director – Australia, Laing O’Rourke, said, “The Australian Government Department of Defence is one of our long-standing priority clients. The appointment of Major General Roger Noble will ensure we continue to align Laing O’Rourke’s capacity and capability with the requirements of the Defence sector.

“We talk a lot about how Laing O’Rourke’s Power of Experience sets us apart in Australia – one look at the decorated career of Major General Noble shows we are continuing our commitment to deliver certainty for our clients,” said Rebecca.

Major General Noble said, “I am excited to join the Laing O’Rourke team and aim to continue the work of the last 40 years by helping deliver the highest quality infrastructure and facilities to our soldiers, sailors, aviators, and Defence civilians.  I know from personal experience just how important this is.”

Holding the Order of Australia, Distinguished Service Cross (Australia) and Conspicuous Service Cross (Australia), US Legion of Merit and bar, Major General Noble entered the Royal Military College as a cadet in 1984 graduating in 1987.  He is also a member of the first graduating class of the Australian Defence Force Academy 1986.

He was deployed six times on operations to East Timor, Afghanistan, and Iraq. His final operational tour was in 2016 as Deputy Coalition Land Force Commander [US 101^st Airborne Division], Iraq during the liberation of Mosul and Fallujah. He subsequently served as Deputy Commanding General, United States Army Pacific leading engagement with multiple regional nations.

He retired from the Australian Army and was appointed Australian Ambassador for Counter Terrorism in February 2021.

Major General Noble holds a Masters of International Public Policy (Honours) from Johns Hopkins University, a Masters of Business Administration from Deakin University, a Masters of Defence Studies from the University of Canberra, and a Bachelor of Arts (Military History) with first class honours from the Australian Defence Force Academy.